Systems, methods and apparatus for facilitating transactions using a mobile device

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus for facilitating transactions using a mobile device are provided by certain embodiments of the invention. Information associated with a proposed transaction may be received at a mobile device from a point of sale device. The mobile device may communicate a request to approve the proposed transaction to a transaction processor. The request may at least a portion of the received information and an identifier associated with the mobile device. The transaction processor may determine whether to approve the proposed transaction and communicate an approval or decline message to the point of sale device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 396,241, filed Mar. 2, 2009 and entitled “Systems, Methods, and Devices for Administering Consumer Rewards Programs Through the Use of Tones Sent to Mobile Devices”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 396,258, filed Mar. 2, 2009 and entitled “Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Providing Promotion Information to a Mobile Device”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 396,240, filed Mar. 2, 2009 and entitled “Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Marketing by Communicating Tones to a Mobile Device”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 396,255, filed Mar. 2, 2009 and entitled “Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Communicating Information to a Mobile Device in a Broadcast Signal”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 396,261, filed Mar. 2, 2009 and entitled “Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Facilitating Communication Between Mobile Devices”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system that allows a mobile device to approve or decline a payment transaction at a point of sale device. The system receives a request to approve a transaction from the mobile device, which includes information about the device and the transaction. The system then sends an approval or decline message to the point of sale device. The system identifies the payment account to be used for the transaction and decides whether to approve or decline it based on the received information. This technology streamlines the payment process and makes it easier for mobile devices to conduct transactions.

Problems solved by technology

The collection of an account number by a merchant in typical payment transactions may lead to security risks.

As another example, the account number may be intercepted during its transmission to the transaction processor by the merchant, which may lead to a fraudulent transaction conducted by the intercepting party.

Although attempts have been made to protect the transmission of an account number, such as the utilization of various types of encryption, there is still some risk associated with transmitting the account number or even a portion of the account number.

Additionally, there is a risk associated with a consumer sharing an account number with a merchant.

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